Hero Prop Research and Sketches

I wanted to combine roman and greek mythology with modern pimp paraphernalia. I researched into chalices from different eras and 'Spintriae', which were coins used in Roman times to solicit prostitutes. I also looked at different symbols for Hades that I could incorporate into my designs.

Below are some drawings I made of possible hero props. The two canes are based on the symbols of Hades, and the cup incorporates both new and old- a classic shape with neon lights (around the top and bottom) and stripper symbols instead of classic roman or greek illustrations. Inside the cup are my modern take on the Spintriae coins.

Adornment and Colour Research

I decided to look at the design of the brothels in Game of Thrones, remembering their use of drapery and small strategically placed sources of lights. I also looked at the lighting and colour of the Nana Entertainment Plaza in Bangkok, I like the uncomfortably bright and unnatural lighting in the the otherwise dark place.

Below is a video with more good examples of the lighting and colour in the place

           

I also looked at the extreme lighting in Only God Forgives

Research and First Thumbnails 1 - 15

 These are my first thumbnail sketches I completed after researching the first part of the extract. When I first read through this part, where the characters are on the ship and break through the earths core, I was intrigued by the word "ice stratum" having not heard of it before. This research is what brought me to the picture at the top left- I found out that a stratum was made up of layers of rock which I then used as inspiration on my first thumbnails, and the icy colour ones at the end. My initial thought  when I read about exploring the unknown in a large machine was the push in curiosity in the 19th century that came with industrialisation, and then naturally onto steampunk. I thought this would also give a lot of scope for some of the items described such as the chronometer and the door they escape from. I found out the book was written in 1914- the year the first world war broke out. This led me to conjure up many metaphors behind the idea of large industrials machines unwelcome in foreign lands, i wanted to reflect this in my thumbnails so looked up WW1 tanks.